The Big Man of Jim Beam

Chapter 5The Student

Booker spent the next two years at the Clermont plant learning the ropes. He worked in the dump room, the rack houses, the fill room, and in the distillery, doing some of this and some of that. For the most part he kept his head low and his eyes open. He worked hard and took things in. He asked a lot of questions and then asked more. Carl was a good source of information, of course, as were the other workers. There was general speculation that Booker was being groomed for big things, so his inquisitiveness was encouraged.

Every so often Uncle Jere would check in to see how he was doing. He'd jump out of his Cadillac and slap Booker on the back. While the whole family seemed to be keeping an eye on him, Uncle Jere was the most interested in his progress.

“How's it going there, Booker?” Uncle Jere would ask.

“All right.”

“You picking all this up?”

“Much as I can.”

“What interests you the most?”

“The distilling end, I guess.”

“That's what I figured. Keep at it.”

“I aim to.”

After work, Booker still had energy to party. He was in his early twenties and had some oats to sow. He had a tight-knit group of friends—some from St. Joe's, others from Bardstown and Springfield—a loyal bunch who would stay with him for life. Together they hit the honky-tonks until the wee hours, enjoying each other's company as well as the companionship of the local girls. Having an inner circle of friends, an entourage, was important to Booker. He was comfortable with a crowd around ...